I want to share a reflection on suicide by quoting from a speech I made in 2002 because it is relevant and topical. Rituals also express meaning, nuance and metaphor. During (former) Prime Minister’s Helen Clark’s wreathe presentation at Tamasese’s grave, 4 June 2002, Lufi Falefa and Salani could have chanted the funeral chants, the birth chants, the war chants, the victory chants.

Talofa! It is with great pleasure that I come with my colleagues to attend the Closing Ceremony of Training Course on Creative Handicrafts and Sewing skills for Samoa sponsored by the Chinese government.

I wish to use this opportunity to convey our sincerest gratitude to the People’s Republic of China, through the Embassy in Samoa and the Hunan International Business Vocational College for Continuing to support the development of Samoa and its people. 99 women and men have been trained, skilled and developed – to become seamstress and fashion designers, through your kind assistance.

Talofa! It is with great pleasure that I come with my colleagues to attend the Closing Ceremony of Training Course on Creative Handicrafts and Sewing skills for Samoa sponsored by the Chinese government. I am very happy to see the lovely video clips about the beautiful moments of your training during the past few weeks.

Sometimes when in the mood to write, I do not think of myself working with chisels and stones despite my native heritage. Instead, I roll up my sleeves on my laptop. Then I flick my arms open as if a card trick is inspired by my fingers. Creativity is a blessing, you know? You can see far beyond the colors of the rainbow the idea of orange and the wilderness becomes wilder in the notions of greenery.

My warrior sister gave a warning sign about death before she passed. She said, “mepa, all you need in this life, is humility and endurance.” I was instructed to write down her last thoughts because she knew she was fading. It was a time to learn of endurance most of all because I had no courage in me to face the inevitable.

In his response to my opinion piece “Climate engineering is the potential game changer we need to confront” published on October 18, 2018, posted online, October 23, 2018, Fiu Mataese invites me to “agree to disagree” on our views on geoengineering.

I have the honour and privilege to present to You the Letter of Credence addressed to Your Highness by His Majesty King Willem Alexander, accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Independent State of Samoa.

I wish to acknowledge with appreciation the comments by my good scientist friend Penehuro Fatu Lefale entitled “Geoengineering is the potential game changer we need to confront” published in Samoa Observer of 18 October 2018.

Today marks the beginning of a new path and direction for you all our newly sworn in citizens.
It is the affirmation of your allegiance and commitment to serve Samoa and its people to the best of your abilities, through the divine leadership of our Lord, whom this country worships and glorifies.

It is a swampy situation when two headed dragons get cross eyed and hit each other as a result. But Samoans do not have dragons or even celebrate to that effect, as the Chinese do, so I guess we could think of two headed stray tom cats to make a point with governance, in the church and in the political arena.

To sit above the hills overlooking the majestic harmonist of a sea; you are the head and feet of imagination, free; and like the breeze on your skin, you linger. There is a self healing, prayer filled, somber sound coming from such a sea.

Talofa Samoa! As we explain in our Health Seminars, the Western animal-based diet (high in fats and animal products) that so many people now consume, is the primary cause of the epidemic of elevated blood pressure (or hypertension) and heart disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

The tussle between the Police and the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) over the enforcement of traffic infringements and the collection of fines is an interesting one.
Purely from an outside perspective, it appears to be a show of who has the biggest muscles and how far one can flex them.

Attempts by two unidentified men, who tried to attack Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi in Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday night has shocked the nation and triggered condemnation from various fronts. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i speaks to the public to get their views on the issue.

P.M. on Church leaders
It seems Prime Minister Tuilaepa can’t leave members of clergy alone.
During a radio programme last week, he had plenty to say about Church Ministers. For instance, he reminded them that Church Ministers were only taught on spiritual matters, not on Economics.

The spears flew towards the youth on the hill, whistling as they cut through the air. Grinning, Queen Medb’s general drew his sword, eager to take back to his Queen the head of this warrior whom they called the Hound of Ulster. He had no doubt his spears would find their mark.